Chris & Amber - Colorado Wedding Preview!

I met Chris and Amber recently through my wife, she and Amber over the years have played on volleyball leagues.  Chris and Amber are hilarious and fun.  The type of people you instantly want as your BFFs.  It was such a privilege to photograph their wedding at the beautiful Rock Ledge Ranch at the doorstep to Garden of the Gods.

In the days leading up to the wedding the weather here had been a rollercoaster and we were having some very serious thunderstorms.  We hoped and prayed that the weather would hold out.  And hold out it did - it started storming something fierce the moment the wedding party left the grounds and began heading to the reception.

Thank you Chris and Amber for letting me Capture Your Adventure!

 Click on an image to see a larger view

Ty & Sam's Mexico Wedding

Two weeks ago I had the honor to photograph a long time friend's wedding.  My friend Ty asked my wife and me to come out to Cancun Mexico (where margaritas flow like wine) to capture the day; at the place he and his now wife Samantha began falling in love.  What an incredibly beautiful place!  It was a laugh and love filled weekend, one that won't soon be forgotten.

Thanks Ty and Sam for asking us to to be there!

Click on an image to see it larger

Chichen Itza (iPhone photo)

 Typical shenanigans 

Sunset

Meet the Walker's!

Recipe of the day...

I think this might be my first ever dedicated food post.  After I put the following photo on Instagram I had people ask me for the recipe.  Seeing that it is one of the favorite things I make, I thought I'd share it with you.

West African Style Black-Eyed Pea Salad

Ingredients:

1# black-eyed peas (soaked 8+ hours)

Fine sea salt

1 garlic clove

3 tablespoons lime juice

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Ground black pepper

3 bell peppers (assorted colors)

1 red onion

1 habanero pepper

1/2 cup cilantro (I never measure this because I love cilantro)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano (I always forget this ingredient)

Directions:

• This is a MUST...  The black-eyed peas have to soak!
• Prior to soaking the peas make sure to rinse them.  There is often times sand or other debris in with them.  
• Put the black-eyed peas in a med/large stock pot.  Put enough water for the peas to be covered. Bring to a boil (an all out - high heat boil isn't necessary).  Boil the peas until they're tender but still hold their shape, about 45ish minutes.
• Once peas are ready add 1 tablespoon of sea salt and mix well.  Then remove pot from heat and let cool in the liquid.
• While your peas are cooking you can prep everything else.
• Chop all your vegetables.  How finely chopped is up to you.  Make sure you get that habanero diced mighty fine (my trick is to put it in a garlic press).
• Mix all your vegetables.
• Mince/press your clove of garlic and mash the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt with a chef's knife.  Whisk the garlic & salt combo with the olive oil, lime juice, 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 3/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
• Once your black-eyed peas have cooled drain any excess cooking water.
• Mix all your lovely ingredients: black-eyed peas, vegetables and dressing.
• Salt & pepper to taste.
• Most important step: ENJOY!

Notes:

• When the peas cook they'll often times foam up.  Don't worry about it.  The foam will subside.
• This "salad" is delicious immediately, but I've found that it tastes even better the next few days.  That is if you haven't eaten all of it by then.
• This isn't my recipe.  I'd love to give credit where credit is due but I don't know where I found it.

Best of 2013...

Just wanted to share my favorite images from last year...

 Brent and Devon's Engagement

Ian and Maria's Zombie Engagement Session 

Ian and Maria's Wedding 

 Guys Camping Trip

14er Trip

Pro Cycling Challenge

 Drew and Megan's Engagement

 Venice Beach California

Joe, at a Narrow Door outreach 

My beautiful sister Jen on our shoot in Joshua Tree

Everett 

 "Boxcar"

 Black Forest Fire

 "Leafing"

can't ignore the poor

My friend David Ramirez runs a ministry in California's Coachella Valley that serves the homeless and those in extreme poverty.  On Thanksgiving Day I had the honor to serve those people who David does, day in and day out.  David asked me to capture the Thanksgiving meal served in a park in Indio.  Here is one of the photos that I took.